The opposition-controlled House committee on national security has vowed to carefully scrutinise the navy's decision to accept a frigate in lieu of a submarine it had ordered from a Chinese shipbuilder, saying the deal puts the government at a disadvantage.
Rangsiman Rome, committee chairman and Move Forward Party (MFP) MP, said yesterday a probe will be launched into the decision. He said any contractual changes must be agreed by both parties, in this case, the Royal Thai Navy and the Chinese shipbuilder.
He said he couldn't figure out why the navy agreed to pay the Chinese shipbuilder more money when the shipbuilder has in fact failed to meet the terms of the original contract. The frigate that the navy would accept in lieu of the submarine costs 17 billion baht -- one billion baht more expensive than the submarine the navy had ordered.
The navy ordered the submarine back in 2017, with the intention of installing a German-made engine in the S26T Yuan-class submarine.
However, the plan had to be revised, as Germany would not allow its engines to be fitted on Chinese military hardware.
China suggested a Chinese engine be fitted in the submarine, but the navy refused to do so, as the engine's performance has yet to be proven.
Following an extended impasse, the government told the navy to revise its procurement plan.
As the whole point of the purchase was to boost Thailand's maritime defence capacity, the navy proposed two options -- buy a frigate capable of combating submarines, or purchase an offshore patrol vessel.
Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang chose the frigate option, saying a new frigate would bring the navy closer to its target of having at least eight frigates capable of defending Thailand's maritime territory.
Mr Rome said the government must clarify its position and explain why it needs a new frigate.
"The force can't claim one day that it badly needed a sub, and then suddenly it doesn't want it," he said.
Also, if the navy is looking for a frigate, it should shop around with manufacturers in other countries, Mr Rome added.